Olympic Champion’s East End Fun Run being blocked

Olympic Javelin gold medallist Tessa Sanderson strongly believes that both Newham Council and the London Legacy Olympic Committee are at best being unhelpful and at worst being obstructive towards her plans to deliver another successful half marathon and Fun Run through the East End of London.

The Tessa Sanderson Foundation and her fun run were very much part of the Olympic ideal and legacy that won the games some eight years ago, but Sanderson’s dealings with the two major bodies, which need to agree the route for next years event in April seem not to be living up to that Legacy ideal, leaving Sanderson frustrated and angry.

Now the event is in jeopardy and as a result thousands of local people will be affected not least the borough's deprived youths who benefit from the event which both celebrates sport and brings people together.

Speaking exclusive to OBV Tessa Sanderson said:

We put so many plans to these authorities and every one keeps getting rejected. It seems as though they don't want it, at least not if i'm running it. Why is it they never treat us as their equals?"

The past successful events have all been held through the Olympic park and with the blessing the local council since 2009, both the Olympic legacy committee which controls the park and Newham council have both rejected Tessa’s plans, arguing it can no longer go through the park and, Newham seem not to want in their borough at all

All very surprising since when the Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales and the Olympic officials all praised the event highlighting how it brought local people together.

Truth is that Olympic champion Tessa Sanderson is a role model on many levels: She is a winner at sports highest level; an ambassador, a community event organiser, and a business woman.

This brilliant event in the heart of multicultural East London deserves better support. For many people in the Black community, it sometimes feels, like the powers out there have concluded that now the Games are over, and we no longer need to fly the multicultural flag. It’s back to business as usual. Let’s hope this is not the case and Sanderson gets the support she deserves.

Simon Woolley